The ISOLDE Facility: Radioactive beams at CERN

<!--HTML-->ISOLDE is the longest running CERN experiment, starting in 1967 and going through regular metamorphoses ever since. The facility produces intense and pure beams of up to 1000 different isotopes by irradiating targets with 1.4 GeV protons, the different techniques for separating and manipulating the isotopes (e.g. in ion traps) will be explained. The isotopes are used in many experiments within nuclear physics, astrophysics, solid state physics, life science and fundamental physics. Some of the experimental techniques used will be introduced; more focus will be put on what physics questions can be answered by using radioactive beams. A brief overview is given of the present and future European developments in this rapidly evolving field. Prerequisite knowledge: none